Pub giant Wetherspoons to move into Brigg

The company has exchanged on The White Horse, an 18th century inn on the corner of Wrawby Street and Grammar School Road.

Both sides are due to complete the sale on June 10, the day the pub is set to close for refurbishment.

Subject to planning approval from North Lincolnshire District Council, Wetherspoons will spend £1.3 million upgrading the site.

“The pub will be completely transformed,” said Wetherspoons spokesman Edward Gershon.

The work should take four months, during which time Wetherspoons will start recruiting for staff.

Forty-five full and part-time jobs will be created but the move has not been welcomed by some.

Paul Keane, vice-chairman of the Brigg Town Business Partnership, believes the mass-market chain will harm the independent pubs and other businesses in the town of 6,000.

“It will damage the area. I don’t think Brigg needs it,” said Mr Keane, before adding he would discuss the matter “with others” before commenting further.

Wetherspoons rejects any suggestion the company will harm Brigg, saying the success of its Scunthorpe pub (The Blue Bell) showed there was similar demand for a Brigg hostelry.

“Mr Keane is entitled to his views, but he should be aware that all businesses compete with each other and Wetherspoon will be no different.

Also when Wetherspoons opens in an area, it is often a catalyst for further investment, which can only be a good thing,” Mr Gershon continued.

However, he stressed Wetherspoons still needed planning and licensing approval.

Punch Taverns, who currently run The White Horse, also told the Market Rasen Mail:

“We can confirm that contracts have been exchanged with a purchaser who intends to keep it as a pub.”

Today’s announcement follows Brigg losing three pubs in recent years- the Brocklesby Ox, the Ancholme Inn and the Queens Arms. However, eight still remain.

Elsewhere in Lincolnshire, JD Wetherspoon operates The Joseph Morton at Louth, plus pubs in Lincoln, Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Skegness.